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Acquitted MDC-T members demand compensation

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Six MDC-T members who were recently acquitted over charges of assaulting three party councillors are demanding $210 000 as compensation from the latter for malicious prosecution. The activists are demanding that the money be paid within 14 days. The activists were jointly charged alongside Mutare Senator Keresenzia Chabuku of assaulting acting mayor George Jerison, councillors […]

Six MDC-T members who were recently acquitted over charges of assaulting three party councillors are demanding $210 000 as compensation from the latter for malicious prosecution.

The activists are demanding that the money be paid within 14 days.

The activists were jointly charged alongside Mutare Senator Keresenzia Chabuku of assaulting acting mayor George Jerison, councillors Morgan Chipara and Pamela Mutare.

The six — Taurai Saradinyo (37), Doreen Nyaya (33), Godwin Sithole (35), Tsitsi Ziweya (38), Farai Aritura (31) and Washington Mandebvu (age not given) — were acquitted of the charges when they appeared before magistrate Charles Murowe last week.

Soon after their acquittal, the activists through their lawyer Passmore Nyakureba immediately filed for compensation from the trio, arguing the matter had tainted their reputation.

Part of the letter reads: “It is common cause that the three of you, acting in concert one with another and on the 8th of June 2012, made a report of assault against our clients whereupon a docket was opened at Mutare Central (Police Station) and our clients were eventually charged with public violence based on the strength of your statements to the police.

“Our clients, therefore, contend that you instigated the prosecution against them barely on the basis of malice as you surely knew that none of our clients assaulted Pamela Mutare and Morgan Chipara. Our clients suffered damages as a result of your malicious actions.

“We are, therefore, under strict instructions to demand from you as we hereby do damages in respect of each and everyone of them in the sum of $35 000 against both of you jointly and severally one paying the others to be absolved.”